School board appoints Duncan Deutsch student representative
June 27, 2012
By Sebastian Moraga
Duncan Deutsch
With two years to go until he graduates, Duncan Deutsch is compiling an impressive college application.
Soccer team, robotics club, class of 2014 Associated Student Body, National Honor Society and a 4.0 grade point average.
Now, he may add the Snoqualmie Valley School District.
The district has appointed Deutsch as its school board’s second student representative.
Deutsch, a junior, will join incumbent Taylor Pearlstein and will replace Chace Carlson, who graduated this month.
Carlson wished Deutsch good luck, praising the district for its pick, and predicted Deutsch would enjoy his time on the board.
“He needs to act as a good ambassador of the school board to the high school,” Carlson wrote in an email. “That includes communicating both ways.”
He later added, “If anyone has any questions about what is occurring in the district/school board, Duncan and Taylor need to be the people that can answer those questions.”
Deutsch earned a two-year appointment after applying and interviewing with school board member Geoff Doy, Valley schools Superintendent Joel Aune and Pearlstein.
Deutsch said the 30-minute interview was not difficult but he was nervous.
“I was just talking from my heart,” he said, later adding, “It’s intimidating talking to Mr. Aune and Geoff Doy.”
Doy called Deutsch a bright young man.
“He comes across as very confident, very mature and a good communicator,” Doy said. “He’s going to fit the bill perfectly.”
Deutsch’s tenure will start during the first meeting of the 2012-13 school year. He is invited though not obligated to attend the summer meetings.
Once a month, he and Pearlstein will present to the school board a public report of what happens at Mount Si High School.
They will offer input on what happens at Mount Si but will not vote on issues.
“Our role is to give student input and represent students, because lots of members on the board don’t have the same connection with the students,” Deutsch said. “It’s good for us to be there and keep them informed of what’s going on in the school.”
Doy said the student reps can have an impact on school board issues by representing the voice of the students.
“It’s really important when we take notice of the students’ opinion when we discuss critical issues,” Doy said, “Personally, I would like to do more of that. The more that we can involve students as part of the community at large, the better quality of decision making you can have.”
Besides the line on his college applications, Deutsch said the appointment will make him a better public speaker, a better leader and will improve his grasp on how decisions are made in organizations like a school district.
“A lot of students hear about the decisions but they don’t know where they come from,” he said. “I want to bridge that gap.”
Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
